America's Byways
There's an unusual sponsor for this entertaining and well-composed travel site, the Federal Highway Administration, and it's managed by the National Scenic Byways Online Project at Utah State University.
The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the US Department of Transportation and is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The Transportation Department recognizes certain roads as All-American Roads or National Scenic Byways based on one or more archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities.
Not only are there 'budget-friendly' tips, we found some that are just as practical for what to wear and to be prepared for on this Big Sur Sandy Beach section: "While Big Sur's [California] beaches hardly resemble the vast stretches of sun-baked sand that dot Southern California's easily accessible coastline, they do offer the visitor a wide variety of recreational possibilities. Even during the summer, Big Sur's beaches are subject to generally cool weather. Sunny days are sporadic as a blanket of seasonal fog often hugs the coastline, dropping the temperature in the process. To be prepared, bring a change of warm clothes. Also, bring a pair of sturdy shoes — Big Sur's beaches require at least a short hike."
And even more helpful is a direction and safety tip about the same area:
"Although Pfeiffer Beach is Big Sur's most popular coastal access point, this beach is hard to find if you've never been to it before. The trick is locating unmarked Sycamore Canyon Road. Here's a tip: Sycamore Canyon Road is the only paved, ungated road west of Highway One between the Big Sur post office and Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park. Once you find the turnout, make a very sharp turn. Then follow the road for about two miles until it ends. Drive carefully —this is a narrow and winding road and is unsuitable for trailer traffic. From a large parking area at the end of the road, a short, well-marked path leads to the beach. Cliffs tower above this stretch of sand, and a large arch-shaped rock formation just offshore makes for some dazzling sunsets."
There's also a section called Unique Adventures and here's an example:
"If you hear strange and spooky sounds drifting through the seemingly endless corridors of the centuries-old Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike, don't count on blaming it on your overactive imagination! At one time this 242,000-square-foot asylum in Weston, WV, held 2,400 patients in claustrophobic chambers. Many died there. Some say their ghosts still linger in the hallways, eager to communicate with an intrepid mortal – such as yourself. Perhaps you too will be haunted by ghostly apparitions, or shiver at a woman's bone-chilling laughter echoing through the hallways. Perhaps you'll hear footsteps following you through every doorway, their cause invisible to your eyes no matter how many times you spin around to seek it."
The website has provided some interesting facts, and it's amazing that so many are centered in Alaska:
- Alaska's Glenn Highway boasts the largest collection of glaciers of any US National Park, in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.
- The Baranov Museum Building, a National Historic Landmark in Kodiak on the Alaska Marine Highway, is the oldest of only 4 Russian structures remaining in the US. Built in 1808, it is the oldest building in Alaska.
- Alaska is the only state which has three bear species: brown (which includes grizzlies), black and polar. Admiralty Island, reached by the Alaska Marine Highway, is said to have the densest bear population on Earth at almost one per square mile.
- Experience a little bit of Scandinavia while visiting Petersburg on the Alaska Marine Highway. Celebrate Norwegian Independence Day and admire the Norwegian tole-painting on the buildings.
- Enter the Ring of Fire on Alaska's Marine Highway where you can explore 81 of America's 86 volcanoes.
- Want to ski in the South? Come to Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley on the Sky Island Scenic Byway in Arizona, the southernmost downhill ski resort in the US.
- Drive from desert to mountaintop along the Sky Island Scenic Byway in Arizona, and in just 27 miles you will pass through biological diversity equivalent to a drive from Mexico to Canada.
- Southern California doesn't take a back seat to San Francisco in Victorian-era architecture. Step back in time at Heritage Square on the Arroyo Seco Parkway in Los Angeles, where all the houses have been restored to their original Victorian architecture.
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